A dislocation is an injury that forces the bones in a joint out of position. The cause is usually a fall, a car accident or an injury during contact sports.
Dislocation mostly involves the body’s larger joints. The most common site of the injury is the shoulder. For young children, the elbow is a common site. Thumbs and fingers also can be dislocated if bent the wrong way with force.
The injury will deform the joint and make it hard to move. Dislocation might cause sudden and severe pain and swelling. A dislocation needs prompt medical attention to put the bones back in place.
If you believe you have dislocated a joint:
- Don’t put off medical care. Get medical help as soon as you can.
- Don’t move the joint. Until you get help, use a splint to keep the affected joint from moving. Don’t try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and the muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels around it.
- Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling. Ice can control bleeding inside the body and keep fluids from building up in and around the injured joint.
March 08, 2024
- Hip dislocation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-dislocation. Accessed Sept. 8, 2023.
- Dislocated shoulder. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/dislocated-shoulder. Accessed Sept. 8, 2023.
- Overview of dislocations. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/dislocations/overview-of-dislocations?query=dislocations#. Accessed Sept. 8, 2023.
- Roberts JR, et al., eds. Management of common dislocations. Roberts and Hedges’ Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2019. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 11, 2023.
- Hyvonen H, et al. Recent trends in children’s elbow dislocation with or without a concomitant fracture. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2019; doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2651-8.
See also
.
Newsmoot News Network stands as a dynamic multinational news channel committed to delivering timely, accurate, and insightful news coverage from around the globe. As a trusted source of information, we strive to bring you the latest news, updates, and analyses across diverse topics, including world affairs, politics, business, technology, culture, and more. Our dedicated team of journalists and reporters works tirelessly to provide a comprehensive view of events, ensuring our audience stays well-informed. At Newsmoot, we believe in the power of unbiased journalism to foster understanding and awareness on a global scale. Join us in staying connected to the world with news that matters.
